Method and system for fast inspecting vehicle

ABSTRACT

A method and a system for fast inspecting a vehicle based on a length measuring device, including: when a subject vehicle enters an inspection region, measuring a first length and a second length of the subject vehicle; determining whether the first length and the second length is respectively larger than or equal to a preset second length threshold; if so, determining whether a gap portion of the subject vehicle between a first portion and a second portion of the subject vehicle appears in a beam emitting region formed by a beam of radiation rays emitted by the system for fast inspecting a vehicle; and when the gap portion appears in the beam emitting region, emitting a beam of radiation rays of a first radiation dose to the subject vehicle according to the gap portion, wherein the subject vehicle moves with respect to the system for fast inspecting a vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 15/278,435 filed on Sep. 28, 2016, which claims benefit of ChinesePatent Application No. 201510884071.7, filed on Dec. 4, 2015, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the technology field forfast inspecting a vehicle based on radiation scan, and moreparticularly, to a method and a system for fast inspecting a vehiclebased on a device for measuring a length.

BACKGROUND

In the field of fast inspecting a vehicle based on radiation scan, thecurrent trend is to inspect a subject vehicle while it is traveling,since it can significantly improve the efficiency of securityinspection. However, due to the reason that radiation rays of highenergy is harmful to human body, during inspection of the subjectvehicle, the cab (i.e. the head portion of the vehicle) should beblocked from the rays, to prevent the high-energy radiation rays frombeing emitted to the driver.

Presently, a most commonly used method is detecting the position of thevehicle by a plurality of photoelectric switches or light curtains aswell as ground sensor coils installed in the inspection channel, andwhen the cab has passed a beam emitting region of the radiation rays(i.e. scanning region of the radiation rays), the radiation-ray sourceis controlled to emit a beam to scan the compartment behind the cab.However, errors are often generated in determination by means of opticalswitches or light curtains, which imposes a high risk to the safety ofthe driver.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, the present disclosure provides a system and amethod for fast inspecting a vehicle which can fast and accuratelyrecognize a subject vehicle, and inspect the subject vehicle safely.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will bepartly set forth in the following description and partly become apparentfrom the description, or can be learned from practice of the presentdisclosure.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for fastinspecting a vehicle, which is applied in a system for fast inspecting avehicle. The method includes: when a subject vehicle enters aninspection region, measuring a first length and a second length of thesubject vehicle; determining whether the first length is larger than orequal to a preset first length threshold and the second length is largerthan or equal to a preset second length threshold; if the first lengthis larger than or equal to the first length threshold and the secondlength is larger than or equal to the second length threshold,determining whether a gap portion of the subject vehicle between a firstportion and a second portion of the subject vehicle appears in a beamemitting region formed by a beam of radiation rays emitted by the systemfor fast inspecting a vehicle; and when the gap portion appears in thebeam emitting region, emitting a beam of radiation rays of a firstradiation dose to the subject vehicle according to the gap portion,wherein the subject vehicle moves with respect to the system for fastinspecting a vehicle.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a system for fastinspecting a vehicle, including: a radiation imaging device comprising aradiation-ray source configured to emit a beam of radiation rays forinspecting a subject vehicle; a detector configured to detect radiationrays transmitted through the subject vehicle and/or radiation raysscattered; and an image processing apparatus configured to form an imageaccording to signals of the radiation rays detected by the detector; alength measuring device configured to measure a first length and asecond length of the subject vehicle when the subject vehicle enters aninspection region; and a controlling device configured to determinewhether the first length is larger than or equal to a preset firstlength threshold and the second length is larger than or equal to apreset second length threshold; if the first length is larger than orequal to the first length threshold and the second length is larger thanor equal to the second length threshold, determine whether a gap portionof the subject vehicle between a first portion and a second portion ofthe subject vehicle appears in a beam emitting region formed by the beamof radiation rays; and when the gap portion appears at a finishingposition of the beam emitting region, control the radiation imagingdevice to emit a beam of radiation rays of a first radiation dose to thesubject vehicle according to the gap portion, wherein the subjectvehicle moves with respect to the length measuring device.

Accordingly, in the method and the system for fast inspecting a vehicleprovided by the present disclosure, lengths of portions of the subjectvehicle are measured; when the lengths meet predetermined conditions,the gap portion of the subject vehicle can be detected. In this way, thetiming for emitting a beam of radiation rays can be determinedaccurately, and it can avoid risk to the safety of the driver due toerrors in determination of the head portion of the subject vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosurewill become apparent from exemplary embodiments thereof described indetail with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a subject vehicle according to an example.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are schematic diagrams showing a method for fastinspecting a vehicle in different operation states according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for fast inspecting avehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a recognizable region of a laserscanner according to an example.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a system for fast inspecting avehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing width measurement with a laserscanner according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiments will be described more fully withreference to the accompanying drawings. However, the exemplaryembodiments can be implemented in various manners, and should not beunderstood as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Instead,these embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure morethorough and complete, and to fully convey the concept of the exemplaryembodiments to those skilled in the art. Throughout the accompanyingdrawings, like symbols represent like or the same structure, and thusthe redundant description will be omitted.

The features, structure and characteristics described can be combined inone or more embodiments in any suitable way. In the followingdescription, more specific details are provided to enable thoroughunderstanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the technicalsolution of the present disclosure can be practiced without one or moreof the particular details or can be practiced with other methods,components, and so on. In some cases, known structure or operation willnot be illustrated in detail to avoid obscuration of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a subject vehicle according to an example. Asshown in FIG. 1, a subject vehicle 10, for example, a van with acompartment or a truck with a container, includes a first portion P1(such as a cab, i.e. a head portion) a second portion P2 (such as acompartment portion), and a gap portion G between the first portion P1and the second portion P2. For a truck with a container, generally, thegap portion G has a length of about 1 meter. For a van with acompartment, the gap portion G has a length between about severalcentimeters to dozens of centimeters.

In the method for fast inspecting a vehicle according to the presentdisclosure, the subject vehicle can move with respect to the system forfast inspecting the vehicle. In an embodiment, the subject vehicle cantravel through a stationary system for fast inspecting the vehicle, orin another embodiment, the subject vehicle can be stationary and thesystem for fast inspecting the vehicle inspects the vehicle while thesystem is moving.

Generally, the method for fast inspecting a vehicle of the presentdisclosure will be described below with an example in which the subjectvehicle travels through a stationary system for fast inspecting avehicle.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are schematic diagrams showing a method for fastinspecting a vehicle in different operation states according to anexemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method forfast inspecting a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. Withreference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3 together, the method 30 includes thefollowing steps.

At step S310, when it is detected that the subject vehicle 10 enters apredetermined inspection region, a first length and a second length ofthe subject vehicle 10 are respectively measured.

For example, a system 20 for fast inspecting a vehicle includes a devicefor measuring a length. The device for measuring a length includes forexample, a laser scanner or a 3D imaging camera and the like. The system20 for fast inspecting a vehicle measures the subject vehicle 10entering a predetermined inspection region by utilizing the device formeasuring a length. The predetermined inspection region can be arecognizable region of the device for measuring a length, for example.For example, the device for measuring a length is a laser scanner, andFIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a recognizable region of a laserscanner 210. As shown in FIG. 4, the laser scanner 210 can be disposedabove a side of an inspection channel, in order to measure a width ofthe subject vehicle 10 in addition to a height and a length of thesubject vehicle 10. Generally, the laser scanner 210 scans the subjectvehicle 10 with laser at a preset scanning frequency, for example 100 Hz(i.e. 100 times of scanning per second). The laser scanner 210, at atime, emits a laser beam including a plurality of laser rays indifferent angles, and the plurality of laser rays form a plane whichcovers a range with a starting point A. The starting point A marks thebeginning of the recognizable region of the laser scanner 210. Theinspection region is also the recognizable region of the laser scanner210. Alternatively, the laser scanner 210 can also be disposed on thetop of the inspection channel.

The laser scanner as the device for measuring a length is easy to beinstalled and has a low cost. In practical application, there is no needto strictly follow the inclined angle of a sensor required by theinstallation rules. The inclined installation angle will not affect thedesired accuracy and algorithm. In addition, the laser scanner has awide detection range, and can continuously monitor a range with a lengthof 80 meters or even longer.

In another embodiment, the above device for measuring a length can alsobe a 3D imaging camera. In this case, a three-dimension image can becaptured by the 3D imaging camera, in order to measure a length of thesubject vehicle and other measurements.

In an embodiment, whether the subject vehicle 10 has entered thepredetermined inspection region can be detected by a photoelectricswitch, a light curtain, a laser sensor, a radar sensor or a laserscanner. If a laser scanner is used for such detection, the above laserscanner 210 for measuring the length of the subject vehicle can be usedfor this purpose, or an additional laser scanner can be installed toperform the detection.

Still referring to FIG. 2A, the subject vehicle 10 as a whole hasentered the inspection region, that is, the whole part of the subjectvehicle 10 has entered recognizable range of the laser scanner. Thelaser scanner 210 can continuously scan the subject vehicle 10 withlaser at a predetermined scanning frequency. A two-dimension image ofthe subject vehicle 10 can be formed according to data acquired andreturned by scanning the subject vehicle 10 with a laser beam emittedfrom the laser scanner 210. According to the two-dimension image of thesubject vehicle 10, the first portion P1, the second portion P2 and thegap portion G of the subject vehicle 10 can be respectively recognized,and a length of each of the portions can be measured.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, said first length is a lengthL1 of the first portion P1 of the subject vehicle 10, and said secondlength is a total length L2 of the subject vehicle 10, i.e. a totallength of the first portion P1, the second portion P2 and the gapportion G of the subject vehicle 10.

In some embodiments, said first length is a length of the first portionP1 of the subject vehicle 10, and said second length can also be alength of the second portion P2 of the subject vehicle 10.

In some embodiments, the system 20 for fast inspecting a vehicle canalso utilize a laser scanner to measure a width of the subject vehicle10. In this case, when said device for measuring a length is a laserscanner, the laser scanner for measuring a width can be the same laserscanner as said laser scanner for measuring a length, or can be anotherlaser scanner. For example, as shown by the laser scanner 210 which isconfigured for measuring both width and length in FIG. 4, when the laserscanner for measuring a width and the laser scanner for measuring alength are the same laser scanner 210, the laser scanner 210 can bedisposed over a side (or on a side wall) of the inspection channel, inorder to measure both of the length and the width of the subject vehicle10.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the laser scanner 210 measuringthe width W of the subject vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 6, the laserscanner 210 can calculate the width W of the subject vehicle 10according to a length a1 of a laser ray A1, a length a2 of a laser rayA2 and an angle β between the laser ray A1 and the laser ray A2. Inaddition, the measurement of the width can be a result of onemeasurement, or can be a fitted result (for example, an average) ofcombination of several measurements, and the present disclosure is notlimited thereto.

At step S320, it is determined whether the first length is larger thanor equal to a preset first length threshold and the second length islarger than or equal to a preset second length threshold, if the firstlength is larger than or equal to the first length threshold and thesecond length is larger than or equal to the second length threshold,the process of the method is turned to perform step S330, otherwise, theprocess of the method is ended.

By determining whether the first length and the second length exceed thepreset thresholds, a vehicle with a gap portion G can be fastrecognized. For example, the first length P1 is the length L1, and thesecond length is a total length L2. The length L1 of P1 is generallybetween 1.3 meters and 5.2 meters, and the total length L2 is generallybetween 5.4 meters and 18 meters. Therefore, the first length thresholdcan be set between 1.5 meters and 2.7 meters, and the second lengththreshold can be set between 6 meters and 10 meters. It should be notedthat, these thresholds are merely for example, and the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. The thresholds can be set accordingto practical requirements in application.

In some embodiments, before step S320, the method also includes: it isdetermined whether the width of the subject vehicle 10 is larger than apreset width threshold. If the width of the subject vehicle 10 is largerthan the preset width threshold, the process of the method is turned toperform step S330; otherwise, the process of the method is ended.

In some embodiments, at step S320, in addition to determining whetherthe first length is larger than or equal to a preset first lengththreshold and the second length is larger than or equal to the secondlength threshold, it is also determined whether the width of the subjectvehicle 10 is larger than a preset width threshold. If the first lengthis larger than or equal to the first length threshold and the secondlength is larger than or equal to the second length threshold, and thewidth of the subject vehicle 10 is larger than the width threshold, theprocess of the method is turned to perform step S330; otherwise, theprocess of the method is ended.

Generally, the width of the subject vehicle is between 1.5 meters and 3meters. Therefore, the width threshold can be selected as between 1meter and 1.5 meters. The present disclosure is not limited thereto.

By determining the width of the subject vehicle 10, it can effectivelyrecognize whether an undesired moving object has entered the inspectionchannel, so as to prevent inspection radiation rays from emitting tosuch undesired moving object.

At step S330, it is determined whether the gap portion G of the subjectvehicle 10 appears a beam emitting region of a radiation imaging device220 in the system 20 for fast inspecting a vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the region S for emitting a beam of the radiationimaging device 220 is formed by a beam of radiation rays emitted by aradiation-ray source in the radiation imaging device 220. When seen fromthe traveling direction of the subject vehicle 10, the region S foremitting a beam includes a starting position X1 and a finishing positionX2. In order for the subject vehicle 10 to receive a beam of radiationrays to be scanned, the subject vehicle 10 enters the region S foremitting a beam from the starting position X1 and exits the region S foremitting a beam at the finishing position X2.

At step S340, when the gap portion G appears in the beam emittingregion, a beam of radiation rays of a first radiation dose is emittedtoward the subject vehicle 10.

Still referring to FIG. 2B, the first portion P1 of the subject vehicle10 has passed the finishing position X2 of the region S for emitting abeam, and a front edge of the gap portion G appears at the finishingposition X2 of the region S for emitting a beam of the radiation imagingdevice 220. At this time, a controlling device (not shown in the figure)in the system 20 for fast inspecting a vehicle is configured to controlthe radiation imaging device 220 to emit a beam of radiation rays of thefirst radiation dose toward the subject vehicle 10.

In some embodiments, the method also includes emitting a beam ofradiation rays of a second radiation dose toward the first portion P1 ofthe subject vehicle 10. The second radiation dose is a radiation dosewhich is safe for a human body. It should be noted that the specificvalue of the second radiation dose is not limited in the presentdisclosure, and in application, it can be determined depending oncriteria of various countries and districts. The first radiation dose ishigher than the second radiation dose.

In some embodiments, at the time when the front edge of the gap portionG appears at the finishing position X2 of the region S for emitting abeam of the radiation imaging device 220, the controlling device isconfigured to control the radiation imaging device 220 to emit a beam ofradiation rays of the first radiation dose toward the subject vehicle10.

In some embodiments, in order to better safeguard the driver, thecontrolling device can also be configured to control the radiationimaging device 220 to emit a beam of radiation rays of the firstradiation dose toward the subject vehicle 10 at a predetermined timeafter the front edge of the gap portion G appears at the finishingposition X2 of the region S for emitting a beam of the radiation imagingdevice 220.

The predetermined time can be determined according to a predetermineddistance and a relative moving speed of the subject vehicle 10 withrespect to the system 20 for fast inspecting a vehicle. Thepredetermined distance can be set depending on specific implementation,for example. The relative moving speed of the subject vehicle 10 withrespect to the system 20 for fast inspecting a vehicle can be measuredby a speed radar for example, or can be measured by the same laserscanner 210.

To determine the time when the front edge of the gap portion G appearsat the finishing position X2 of the region S for emitting a beam, it canbe determined whether the front edge of the gap portion G has reachedthe finishing position X2 according to a change in depth from the firstportion P1 (i.e. the head portion) and the gap portion G For example,when the first portion P1 has not passed the finishing position X2, therays at the finishing position X2 will be emitted on the first portionP1, and a distance value acquired and returned will be relatively small.When the first portion P1 has passed the finishing position X2, the raysat the finishing position X2 will be emitted on the gap portion G, and adistance value acquired and returned will be relatively large. Based onthis, it can be determined whether the front edge of the gap portion Ghas reached the finishing position X2. For example, it can be determinedbased on a difference value between the two distance values returned.That is, if the distance values change from a relatively small value toa relatively large value, and an absolute value of the difference valueis larger than a preset first threshold, it can be determined that thefront edge of the gap portion has passed the finishing position X2. Thefirst threshold can be set depending on requirements of practicalapplication, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the controlling device can be configured to controlthe radiation imaging device 220 to emit a beam of radiation rays towardthe subject vehicle 10 at a time when a rear edge of the gap portion Gpasses the finishing position X2 of the region S for emitting a beam ofthe radiation imaging device 220.

To determine the time when the rear edge of the gap portion G passes thefinishing position X2 of the region S for emitting a beam of theradiation imaging device 220, it can be determined whether the rear edgeof the gap portion has passed the finishing position X2 according to achange in depth from the gap portion G and the second portion P2 (i.e.the compartment portion). For example, when the gap portion G has notpassed the finishing position X2, the rays at the finishing position X2will be emitted on the gap portion G, and a distance value acquired andreturned will be relatively large. When the gap portion G has passed thefinishing position X2, the rays at the finishing position X2 will beemitted on the second portion P2, and a distance value acquired andreturned will be relatively small. Based on this, it can be determinedwhether the rear edge of the gap portion G has passed the finishingposition X2. For example, it can be determined based on a differencevalue between the two distance values returned. That is, if the distancevalues change from a relatively large value to a relatively small value,and an absolute value of the difference value is larger than a presetsecond threshold, it can be determined that the rear portion of the gapportion has passed the finishing position X2. The second threshold canbe set depending on requirements of practical application, and thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto.

Accordingly, in the method for fast inspecting a vehicle provided by thepresent disclosure, lengths of portions of the subject vehicle aremeasured; when the lengths meet predetermined conditions, the gapportion of the subject vehicle can be detected. In this way, the timingfor emitting a beam of radiation rays can be determined accurately, andit can avoid risk to the safety of the driver due to errors indetermination of the head portion of the subject vehicle.

In addition, in the method for fast inspecting a vehicle provided by thepresent disclosure, the width of the subject vehicle can also bemeasure. In this way, it can recognize object to be inspected in theinspection channel An object other than a vehicle can be effectivelyrecognized and excluded according to the width. Therefore, it can reducea probability of mistakes in determination and it can improve the safetylevel.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a system for fast inspecting avehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, thesystem 20 for fast inspecting a vehicle includes a length measuringdevice 240, a radiation imaging device 220 and a controlling device 230.

The radiation imaging device 220 includes a radiation-ray source 2210, adetector 2220 and an image processing apparatus 2230. The radiation-raysource 2210 is configured to emit a beam of radiation rays to a subjectvehicle passing through the inspection channel The beam of radiationrays can be all kinds of rays which can image an object by means ofradiation, such as X rays, y rays, neutrons and the like, and thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto. The radiation-ray source 2210can include for example an X-ray machine, an accelerator, a neutrongenerator and the like. The radiation-ray source 2210 can emit a beam ofradiation rays under control of the controlling device 230, for example,by receiving a controlling signal of the controlling device 230. Theradiation-ray source 2210 can emit or stop emitting a beam of radiationrays by opening or closing a mechanical shutter. The detector 2220 isconfigured to detect radiation rays transmitted through the subjectvehicle and/or radiation rays scattered. The image processing apparatus2230 is configured to form an image according to signals of theradiation rays detected by the detector 2220, to inspect the internalpart of the subject vehicle.

The length measuring device 240 is configured to measure the firstlength and the second length of the subject vehicle when the subjectvehicle enters the inspection region. The inspection region has beendescribed in the above, which will not be repeated herein. The lengthmeasuring device 240 can include, for example, a laser scanner or a 3Dimaging camera and the like. When the length measuring device 240 is thelaser scanner 210 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the length measuringdevice 210 can be disposed at above a side of an inspection channel, orcan also be disposed on the top of the inspection channel, as shown inFIG. 4. In an optional embodiment, a distance between the laser scanner210 and a central position M of the beam emitting region which is formedby the beam of radiation rays emitted by the radiation imaging device220 is smaller than or equal to 1 meter. The measurement of lengths bythe laser scanner 210 has been described in the above, which will not berepeated herein.

The laser scanner as the device for measuring a length is easy to beinstalled and has a low cost. In practical application, there is no needto strictly follow the inclined angle of a sensor required by theinstallation rules. The inclined installation angle will not affect thedesired accuracy and algorithm. In addition, the laser scanner has awide detection range, and can continuously monitor a range with a lengthof 80 meters or even longer.

A 3D imaging camera can also be used for measuring a length. In thiscase, a three-dimension image can be firstly captured by the 3D imagingcamera, and then lengths can be measured according to the captured threedimensional image.

In addition, the system 20 for fast inspecting a vehicle can alsoinclude a photoelectric switch, a light curtain, a laser sensor, a radarsensor or the like, for detecting whether the subject vehicle has entersthe inspection region. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, saidfirst length is a length L1 of the first portion P1 of the subjectvehicle 10, and said second length is a total length L2 of the subjectvehicle 10, i.e. a total length of the first portion P1, the secondportion P2 and the gap portion G of the subject vehicle 10.

In some embodiments, said first length is a length of the first portionP1 of the subject vehicle 10, and said second length can also be alength of the second portion P2 of the subject vehicle 10.

The controlling device 230 is configured to determine whether the firstlength is larger than or equal to a preset first length threshold andthe second length is larger than or equal to the second lengththreshold, and if the first length is larger than or equal to the firstlength threshold and the second length is larger than or equal to thesecond length threshold, it can be determined whether the gap portion Gof the subject vehicle appears in the beam emitting region of theradiation imaging device 220. When the gap portion G appears in the beamemitting region, a beam of radiation rays can be emitted toward thesubject vehicle based on the gap portion G The first length thresholdand the second length threshold have been described in the above, whichwill not be repeated herein.

The controlling device 230 can fast recognize a vehicle with a gapportion G by determining whether the first length and the second lengthexceed the preset thresholds.

In some embodiments, the system 20 for fast inspecting a vehicle canalso include a laser scanner configured to measure a width of thesubject vehicle 10 when the subject vehicle 10 enters the predeterminedinspection region. When the length measuring device 240 is also a laserscanner, the laser scanner for measuring a width of the subject vehicle10 can be the same laser scanner as said laser scanner for measuring alength, or can be another laser scanner. For example, as shown by thelaser scanner 210 which is configured for measuring both width andlength in FIG. 4, when the laser scanner for measuring a width and thelaser scanner for measuring a length are the same laser scanner 210, thelaser scanner 210 can be disposed over a side (or on a side wall) of theinspection channel, in order to measure both of the length and the widthof the subject vehicle 10. The measurement of the width of the subjectvehicle 10 by the laser scanner 210 when the subject vehicle 10 entersthe predetermined inspection channel has been described in the above,which will not be repeated herein.

In some embodiments, the controlling device 230 is configured to, beforeit is determined whether the first length is larger than or equal to apreset first length threshold and the second length is larger than orequal to a preset second length threshold, it is determined whether thewidth of the subject vehicle 10 is larger than a preset width threshold.If the width of the subject vehicle 10 is larger than the widththreshold, the length measuring device 240 is instructed to measure saidfirst length and the second length and it is determined whether thefirst length is larger than or equal to a preset first length thresholdand the second length is larger than or equal to a preset second lengththreshold. The width threshold has been described in the above, whichwill not be repeated herein.

In some embodiments, the controlling device 230 is configured to, inaddition to determining whether the first length is larger than or equalto a preset first length threshold and the second length is larger thanor equal to the second length threshold, it is also determined whetherthe width of the subject vehicle 10 is larger than a preset widththreshold. If the first length is larger than or equal to the firstlength threshold and the second length is larger than or equal to thesecond length threshold, and the width of the subject vehicle 10 islarger than the width threshold, it is determined whether the gapportion G of the subject vehicle appears in the beam emitting region ofthe radiation imaging device 220. The width threshold has been describedin the above, which will not be repeated herein.

In the example below, the length measuring device 240 is still the laserscanner 210 as shown in FIG. 4. Still referring to FIG. 2B, the region Sfor emitting a beam is formed by a beam of radiation rays emitted. Whenseen from the traveling direction of the subject vehicle 10, the regionS for emitting a beam includes a starting position X1 and a finishingposition X2. In order for the subject vehicle 10 to receive a beam ofradiation rays to be scanned, the subject vehicle 10 enters the region Sfor emitting a beam from the starting position X1 and exits the region Sfor emitting a beam at the finishing position X2.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when the first portion P1 of the subject vehicle 10has passed the finishing position X2 of the region S for emitting abeam, and a front edge of the gap portion G appears at the finishingposition X2 of the region S for emitting a beam, the controlling device230 can be configured to control the radiation imaging device 220 toemit a beam of radiation rays of a first radiation dose toward thesubject vehicle 10.

In some embodiments, before determination of the gap portion G, thecontrolling device 230 is also configured to control the radiationimaging device 20 to emit a beam of radiation rays of a second radiationdose to the first portion P1 of the subject vehicle 10. The secondradiation dose is a radiation dose which is safe for a human body. Itshould be noted that the specific value of the second radiation dose isnot limited in the present disclosure, and in application, it can bedetermined depending on criteria of various countries and districts. Thefirst radiation dose is higher than the second radiation dose.

In some embodiments, at the time when the front edge of the gap portionG appears at the finishing position X2 of the region S for emitting abeam of the radiation imaging device 220, the controlling device 230 isconfigured to control the radiation imaging device 220 to emit a beam ofradiation rays of the first radiation dose toward the subject vehicle10.

In some embodiments, in order to better safeguard the driver, thecontrolling device 230 can also be configured to control the radiationimaging device 220 to emit a beam of radiation rays of the firstradiation dose toward the subject vehicle 10 at a predetermined timeafter the front edge of the gap portion G appears at the finishingposition X2 of the region S for emitting a beam of the radiation imagingdevice 220.

The predetermined time can be determined according to a predetermineddistance and a relative moving speed of the subject vehicle 10 withrespect to the system 20 for fast inspecting a vehicle. Thepredetermined distance can be set depending on specific implementation,for example. The relative moving speed of the subject vehicle 10 withrespect to the system 20 for fast inspecting a vehicle can be measuredby a speed radar for example, or can be measured by the same laserscanner 210.

To determine the time when the front edge of the gap portion G appearsat the finishing position X2 of the region S for emitting a beam, it canbe determined whether the front edge of the gap portion G has reachedthe finishing position X2 according to a change in depth from the firstportion P1 (i.e. the head portion) and the gap portion G For example,when the first portion P1 has not passed the finishing position X2, therays at the finishing position X2 will be emitted on the first portionP1, and a distance value acquired and returned will be relatively small.When the first portion P1 has passed the finishing position X2, the raysat the finishing position X2 will be emitted on the gap portion G, and adistance value acquired and returned will be relatively large. Based onthis, it can be determined whether the front edge of the gap portion Ghas reached the finishing position X2. For example, it can be determinedbased on a difference value between the two distance values returned.That is, if the distance values change from a relatively small value toa relatively large value, and an absolute value of the difference valueis larger than a preset first threshold, it can be determined that thefront edge of the gap portion has passed the finishing position X2. Thefirst threshold can be set depending on requirements of practicalapplication, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the controlling device 230 can be configured tocontrol the radiation imaging device 220 to emit a beam of radiationrays toward the subject vehicle 10 at a time when a rear edge of the gapportion G passes the finishing position X2 of the region S for emittinga beam of the radiation imaging device 220.

To determine the time when the rear edge of the gap portion G passes thefinishing position X2 of the region S for emitting a beam of theradiation imaging device 220, it can be determined whether the rear edgeof the gap portion has passed the finishing position X2 according to achange in depth from the gap portion G and the second portion P2 (i.e.the compartment portion). For example, when the gap portion G has notpassed the finishing position X2, the rays at the finishing position X2will be emitted on the gap portion G, and a distance value acquired andreturned will be relatively large. When the gap portion G has passed thefinishing position X2, the rays at the finishing position X2 will beemitted on the second portion P2, and a distance value acquired andreturned will be relatively small. Based on this, it can be determinedwhether the rear edge of the gap portion G has passed the finishingposition X2. For example, it can be determined based on a differencevalue between the two distance values returned. That is, if the distancevalues change from a relatively large value to a relatively small value,and an absolute value of the difference value is larger than a presetsecond threshold, it can be determined that the rear portion of the gapportion has passed the finishing position X2. The second threshold canbe set depending on requirements of practical application, and thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto.

Accordingly, in the system for fast inspecting a vehicle provided by thepresent disclosure, lengths of portions of the subject vehicle aremeasured; when the lengths meet predetermined conditions, the gapportion of the subject vehicle can be detected. In this way, the timingfor emitting a beam of radiation rays can be determined accurately, andit can avoid risk to the safety of the driver due to errors indetermination of the head portion of the subject vehicle.

In addition, in the system for fast inspecting a vehicle provided by thepresent disclosure, the width of the subject vehicle can also bemeasure. In this way, it can recognize object to be inspected in theinspection channel An object other than a vehicle can be effectivelyrecognized and excluded according to the width. Therefore, it can reducea probability of mistakes in determination and it can improve the safetylevel.

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have beenspecifically illustrated and described above. It should be understoodthat, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodimentsdisclosed. Instead, the present disclosure intends to cover all thealteration and equivalent replacement within the scope of the appendingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for fast inspecting a vehicle, which isapplied in a system for fast inspecting a vehicle, the methodcomprising: step (a), when a subject vehicle enters an inspectionregion, measuring a first length and a second length of the subjectvehicle; step (b), determining whether the first length is larger thanor equal to a preset first length threshold and the second length islarger than or equal to a preset second length threshold; step (c), ifthe first length is larger than or equal to the first length thresholdand the second length is larger than or equal to the second lengththreshold, determining whether a gap portion of the subject vehiclebetween a first portion and a second portion of the subject vehicleappears in a beam emitting region formed by a beam of radiation raysemitted by the system for fast inspecting a vehicle; and step (d), whenthe gap portion appears in the beam emitting region, emitting a beam ofradiation rays of a first radiation dose to the subject vehicleaccording to the gap portion, wherein the subject vehicle moves withrespect to the system for fast inspecting a vehicle.
 2. The method forfast inspecting a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein before the step(a), the method further comprises: when the subject vehicle enters theinspection region, measuring a width of the subject vehicle; determiningwhether the width of the subject vehicle is larger than a preset widththreshold; and if the width of the subject vehicle is larger than thewidth threshold, performing the steps (a) to (d).
 3. The method for fastinspecting a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the step (a) furthercomprises: when the subject vehicle enters the inspection region,measuring a width of the subject vehicle; the step (b) furthercomprises: determining whether the width of the subject vehicle islarger than a preset width threshold; and the step (c) furthercomprises: if the first length is larger than or equal to the firstlength threshold, the second length is larger than or equal to thesecond length threshold, and the width of the subject vehicle is largerthan the width threshold, determining whether a gap portion of thesubject vehicle between a first portion and a second portion of thesubject vehicle appears in the beam emitting region.
 4. The method forfast inspecting a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first lengthis a length of the first portion of the subject vehicle, and the secondlength is a sum of lengths of the first portion, the second portion andthe gap portion of the subject vehicle; or the first length is a lengthof the first portion of the subject vehicle, and the second length is alength of the second portion of the subject vehicle.
 5. The method forfast inspecting a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein emitting a beamof radiation rays of a first radiation dose to the subject vehicleaccording to the gap portion comprises: determining an appearing timewhen the gap portion appears at a finishing position of the beamemitting region, and emitting the beam of radiation rays of the firstradiation dose to the second portion of the subject vehicle at thedetermined appearing time.
 6. The method for fast inspecting a vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein emitting a beam of radiation rays of afirst radiation dose to the subject vehicle according to the gap portioncomprises: determining an appearing time when the gap portion appears ata finishing position of the beam emitting region, and emitting the beamof radiation rays of the first radiation dose to the second portion ofthe subject vehicle at a predetermined time after the determinedappearing time.
 7. The method for fast inspecting a vehicle according toclaim 6, wherein the predetermined time is determined according to apredetermined distance and a relative moving speed of the subjectvehicle with respect the system for fast inspecting a vehicle.
 8. Themethod for fast inspecting a vehicle according to claim 5, whereindetermining an appearing time when the gap portion appears at afinishing position of the beam emitting region comprises: continuouslydetecting data returned by the radiation rays at the finishing positionof the beam emitting region, determining a time when the returned datachanges from a relatively small value to a relatively large value and anabsolute value of a difference between the relatively small value andthe relatively large value is larger than a preset first threshold asthe appearing time.
 9. The method for fast inspecting a vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein emitting a beam of radiation rays of afirst radiation dose to the subject vehicle according to the gap portioncomprises: determining a leaving time when the gap portion leaves thefinishing position of the beam emitting region, and emitting the beam ofradiation rays of the first radiation dose to the subject vehicle at thedetermined leaving time.
 10. The method for fast inspecting a vehicleaccording to claim 9, wherein determining a leaving time when the gapportion leaves the finishing position of the beam emitting regioncomprises: continuously detecting data returned by the radiation rays atthe finishing position of the beam emitting region, determining a timewhen the returned data changes from a relatively large value to arelatively small value and an absolute value of a difference between therelatively large value and the relatively small value is larger than apreset second threshold as the leaving time.